In 2013, the Connecticut Legislature passed Public Act 13-19, An Act Concerning the Commission on Connecticutís Future. The Act reactivates the dormant Connecticut Commission on Business Opportunity, Defense Diversification and Industrial Policy and renames it the Commission on Connecticutís Future. For administrative purposes, the commission is housed within the Department of Economic and Community Development.

The commission is charged with preparing a report addressing economic renewal in Connecticut including strategies for the restoration and growth of the manufacturing industry and diversification or conversion of defense-related industries in an environmentally sustainable manner. The commissionís report must be submitted to the Governor by December 1, 2014.

Members*

Ex Officio Members:

Catherine Smith (Chair)

Commissioner, Department of Economic and Community Development

Todd Berch

CT State AFL-CIO

Karl Prewo

CT Academy of Science and Engineering

Sharon Palmer

Commissioner, Department of Labor

Stefan Pryor

Commissioner, Department of Education

Jacqueline Johnson

Office of Higher Education

John Rathgeber

CT Business and Industry Association

Senator Gary LeBeau

Co-Chair, Commerce Committee

Representative Chris Perone

Co-Chair, Commerce Committee

Senator Scott Frantz

Ranking Member, Commerce Committee

Representative Gail Lavielle

Ranking Member, Commerce Committee

Appointed Members:

Appointed By:

Jeffrey Seemann

Vice President of Research, UConn

Senator Donald E. WilliamsRepresentative of a large manufacturing concern